Tourism revenues in Rwanda exceed Rwf 997 billion in 2025

By Prince Boris Cyubahiro.

Rwanda’s tourism sector generated over Rwf 997 billion (about $685 million) in 2025, up from Rwf 947 billion ($647 million) in 2024, according to the Rwanda Development Board (RDB).

The figures were released in RDB’s 2025 annual report, which highlights performance across investment, tourism, exports, and broader trade sectors. The growth was driven by increased arrivals, with 1.49 million visitors recorded, an 11% rise compared to 2024, boosted largely by Rwanda’s national parks and wildlife experiences.

Meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) tourism also recorded strong growth, generating more than Rwf 141 billion ($94.7 million), up from Rwf 123 billion ($84.8 million) in 2024, representing an 11% increase.

RDB attributed the performance to major international events hosted in 2025, including the UCI Road World Championships, staged in Africa for the first time; Move Afrika featuring global artist John Legend; the Mobile World Congress (MWC); and the Basketball Africa League (BAL), among others.

These events, the report noted, significantly boosted visitor numbers, strengthened Rwanda’s global visibility, and reinforced its position as a leading MICE destination.

On external trade, Rwanda earned about $3.6 billion from exports of goods and services, driven mainly by mining and agriculture, particularly horticulture and flowers.

Exported services rose by 2.7%, while air cargo volumes increased by 2.4% to 6,257 tonnes, up from 6,113 tonnes in 2024, improving access to key international markets in Europe and the Middle East.

Rwanda also continued to leverage strategic partnerships under the Visit Rwanda campaign to enhance global visibility and attract investment and tourism. In 2025, the country renewed its partnership with Paris Saint-Germain until 2028 and signed a new three-year deal with Atlético de Madrid, also running to 2028.

Long-term agreements with the Los Angeles Clippers and Los Angeles Rams were extended to 2030, as part of broader efforts to position Rwanda as a global tourism, investment, and MICE hub.